Thankful for His Persistence

I don’t know about you, but I’ve discovered that when God wants to teach me something, He often uses a multi-pronged approach. For example, let’s say that He’s got something to teach me about self-control (which, I must admit, it seems I’m always having to work on!). The multi-pronged approach goes something like this:

First, I might read a verse that talks about self-control during my regular quiet time. I feel a little nudge in my heart. Then a friend brings up the subject. Nudge, nudge. Next, while I’m innocently driving to the grocery store the next day, the guy on the radio mentions self-control. Bigger nudge. Then our pastor devotes an entire sermon to self-control. By this point, I’m saying, “Okay, okay, God — I get it! I’m supposed to be doing something about my lack of self-control!”

While I’m so thankful that God never gives up on me and that He cares about me enough to use all those methods to get through to me, I have to wonder — do I need all those pokes and prods because I’m unwilling to just listen the first time?

If so, I’m not the first one to struggle with listening and responding to that first little nudge.

Not long ago, I was reading Acts 24, where we see the apostle Paul speaking to Felix, the governor of Judea. Paul, as always, was up front and passionate about his faith in God, and Governor Felix seemed almost amenable to hearing more. Until Paul’s chats hit a little too close to home, that is.

[Felix] sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”
- Acts 24:24-25

When I came across that passage, I nearly laughed out loud. It sounded all too familiar — as soon as the discussion headed toward things that were uncomfortable, Felix wanted nothing to do with it. “Um, thanks Paul, but that’s okay. You can go back to your room. I’ll, um… talk to you some other time.” Like maybe when you won’t step on my toes.

I’m afraid I do the same thing sometimes. When God whispers to me about a change I need to make, I push away those promptings. “That’s enough for now.” Sometimes, like Felix, I tell myself that I’ll think about the issue “when I find it convenient.” Other times, I just do my best to ignore the topic altogether. But God doesn’t settle for my half-hearted or non-existent responses. Before I know it, I’m getting nudges from Him left and right. Everywhere I go, I’m reminded that He’s got something to say to me, and that I need to take some time to listen.

Oh, how grateful I am for a God who is persistent, a God who will use a variety of means to get my attention! I’m so thankful that He doesn’t let me off the hook. And I love that He’s far more interested in making me more like Jesus than in maintaining my personal comfort level.

For discussion: Have you ever been a Felix? Have you noticed that God doesn’t let you go with just one prompting, but that He uses the multi-pronged attack with you, too?